I'm Back

Well, let's give this blogging thing another try. It's been quite a while since I posted and lots has happened. I lost my Mom a few months after my last post. I am lucky that I had her around as long as I did. She was 88 when she passed on and frankly it was a blessing for her to go. Just this past month (May) I lost my mother-in-law. She lived to be 96 1/2 years old and has been telling her grandchildren for at least the last 5 years that she didn't know why God was keeping her around. When her time came it came quickly. She lived independently until 5 weeks before she died. She was an amazing woman. We've said for years that if she had been born today and had the benefit of a modern education she would have been a multi-millionaire.

On a happier note, I continue to experiment with my fiber art. I am learning many new techniques and getting bolder. I have decided to jump in with both feet so I signed up for a master's class with Jane Dunnewold. It begins March 2008 and I am excited and also a little (okay, more than a little) scared. There is so much I don't know and so much I want to learn. I'm working on a challenge now with a 'bag of stuff' put together by a member of my guild. 7 of us exchanged bags and I'm pretty satisfied with how my piece is turning out. When it is finished I will post a picture if I can figure out how to do it in this new format. Aha, I just saw the little icon at the top and when you hold the mouse over it it says 'add image'.

Well, enough for now. I have to get back to working on reducing my stash and cleaning up the clutter. Here's hoping it's not so long between posts.

Hasta luego,

spanishquilter Judy

Back from vacation

Well, we just spent 8 wonderful days in New York City and Boston. The bulk of the time was spent in NYC where we packed in 5 Broadway shows and a little shopping and sightseeing. A lot of our time was spent in lectures as we were on an Elderhostel trip. The trip focused on Broadway shows and we had lectures by a producer, a young actress, a composer and a gentleman with a wealth of knowledge about the roots of musical theater. The weather was cold, especially since we are used to Florida weather and the hotel was shabby, but the theater was glorious. I did sneak away one morning, skipped the lectures, and went to The City Quilter. I spent an hour shopping and came away with some goodies. If I had more spare time I could have really done some damage as we were on the edge of the garment district. The fabric stores are numerous and there are also, trim, bead, and button shops. Some other day perhaps I will get to explore them. Our hands down favorite show was "Dirth Rotten Scoundrels"!!!!

After NYC we took the train from Penn Station to Boston to visit our daughter and grandchildren. We took my 8 year old granddaughter to the local quilt shop and let her pick out a focus fabric, then I added coordinating fabrics. Together, she and I, (mostly I) put together a simple quilt. Just 40 inches square for her to snuggle in and not real well made as we were working on a machine that needs service and also rushing to get it finished. It also is more difficult than I realized to try to work in someone else's space where you do not have your own things set up. It won't win any prizes, but she will like it and I did get to teach her a few little things about quilting and also about her machine. I gave her the machine for Christmas - it was an eBay purchase - and for some reason there were straight pins all inside the package. Some of the pins have made their way into the inside workings of the machine and are causing problems. I think my daughter will be taking it to their local machine doctor.

It was good to get home to warm weather, but I understand that it is going to get colder this weekend - maybe in the 40's. Also, hubby has come down with the cold that my son-in-law was getting. He feels yucky, but hopefully will bounce back quickly. Now if I can just keep from getting it, because if I get sick then I cannot visit with Mom at the Nursing Home.

Going to go now and try again to make a little quilted pin like the one I purchased in NYC. I'm not used to working so small. Until later,

Judy

New work

Well, it's been a busy 2 months what with the holidays and all of the company we had. Have not had time to post but am now getting caught up.

I started a new piece 2 weeks ago for a swap I want to participate in and I am quite pleased with how it is turning out. It's funny, I had planned to make a rather serious vaguely oriental feeling piece but it had a mind of its own. I auditioned several oriental type appliques such as dragons, and Japanese symbols, but these 2 monkeys from a piece of drapery fabric kept calling me. Put me in, put me in they said. I kept saying no, everyone will think I am too crazy if I put monkeys on this beautiful brocade fabric. But, they kept insisting so I gave in. They were just what the piece needed. I am in the process of adding beads now and then I will finish binding it, putting on a hanging sleeve and it will be finished. All that will be left to do is take a photo, send it off and hope someone else thinks it is worthy of being theirs. So anyway, the monkeys stay in and the piece will be known as Abba Dabba Honeymoon. You have to be over a certain age to understand the name. It is from a song made popular in the 50's by Rosemary Clooney.

After the swap if I remember I will post a photo of it (if I can figure out how to do it). Well, time for getting ready for sleep. Until later everyone, keep creating.

J

Beginning

Have decided to use Blogger as my new blog site. Will be posting pictures of my experiments and work as I learn to use the site.

Right now am feeling withdrawal symptoms as I had to miss my last meeting of my Art Circle, The 4 C's. When the holidays are over we will meet again. I need to finish up my Bag of Stuff challenge from Dea and get started on my quilt interpretation of my chosen artist. No time right now as the influx of children and grandchildren begins tomorrow. Looking forward to it with excitement, joy, and a small amount of apprehension. Maybe I'll get around to taking some pictures of the grandchildren this time. With 14 of them there never seems to be enough time.

Think I'm going to like this Blogger format, it seems to have a lot more features available than the other site I was using.

Happy Holidays everyone,